1
as in to activate
to cause to function
a light actuated by a motion detector the alarm system actuates the door locks
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to move
to set or keep in motion
hearing depends on sound vibrations that actuate the complex mechanism of that sensory organ, the ear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of actuate
When the body chamber is inflated, air actuates the robot: Its wings flap downward from their initially flat position.
—
Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 31 Dec. 2024
To enable more precise adjustments, the bike has twin throttle bodies with each pair of cylinders actuated independently.
—New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024
When Lange released a chronograph variation in 2023, these pushers were repurposed to actuate the timing functions.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2024
The two chambers of the soft, pneumatic finger are actuated manually, using two large syringes filled with air.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for actuate
Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 31 Dec. 2024
To enable more precise adjustments, the bike has twin throttle bodies with each pair of cylinders actuated independently.
—New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024
When Lange released a chronograph variation in 2023, these pushers were repurposed to actuate the timing functions.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2024
The two chambers of the soft, pneumatic finger are actuated manually, using two large syringes filled with air.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for actuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuate
Verb
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The garage sprinkler system had activated, helping control the fire prior to the department’s arrival, according to officials.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
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Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Montage founder, Alan Fuerstman, personally moves into every new property for its first month of operations to ensure the brand’s signature five-star service is up to snuff.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
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The players could feel the former United and Wales winger starting to move up the gears.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Held for weeks with no contact The protests began in late December, triggered by anger over spiraling prices, and quickly spread across the country.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
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The protests began in late December, triggered by anger over spiraling prices, and quickly spread across the country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Molecular motion drives repair In earlier animal studies, a single injection 24 hours after severe injury enabled mice to regain the ability to walk within weeks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management advised the public to secure loose outdoor items, watch for falling branches, and use caution while driving or walking.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Another chart provides a clue to the massive error in revenue projections by Newsom’s budget staff in 2022 which sparked the spending surge.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
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The first meeting, held at a Chinese restaurant in Lima on December 26, sparked controversy after images showed the president entering the establishment wearing a hood.—
CNN staff,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Paul, who began unboxing Pokémon cards on video during the COVID-19 pandemic, is often credited with helping propel the boom.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Charlotte Tilbury contributed largely to the success, with strong double-digit growth propelled by Amazon in the US and entry into the Mexican market.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jordan Sousa dazzled with six goals and three assists, pairing with Timmy O’Malley (hat trick, three assists) to power Hudson to an 11-0 Mid-Wach win over Gardner.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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London served as the central intelligence hub, responsible for developing the AI systems and Vision-Language-Action (VLA) frameworks that power the robot’s cognition.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuate. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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